Technical Communication
Contributors: Gurak, Laura J.
Edition: 12th Edition
Publisher: Pearson
Published: 2011
Place of publication: Boston, Massachusetts, USA
Language: eng
Format: Paperback
Number of pages: 784
ISBN-13: 9780205779642
Notes: Includes bibliographical references and index.
Table of contents: title: PART I; title: COMMUNICATING IN THE WORKPLACE; title: Chapter 1: INTRODUCTION TO TECHNICAL COMMUNICATION; title: Learning Objectives for This Chapter; title: What is Technical Communication?; title: Technical Communication Is a Digital and a Human Activity; title: Technical Communication Reaches a Diverse Audience; title: Technical Communication Is Part of Most Careers; title: Technical Communicators Play Many Roles; title: Characteristics of Effective Technical Communication; title: Purposes of Technical Communication; title: Types of Technical Communication; title: Preparing an Effective Technical Document; title: Case: Providing Information Readers Can Use; title: Case: Being Persuasive; title: Case: Considering the Ethical Issues; title: Case: Working on a Team and Thinking Globally; title: Consider This: Most Workplace Settings Have a Virtual Component; title: Projects; title: Chapter 2: MEETING THE NEEDS OF SPECIFIC AUDIENCES; title: Learning Objectives for This Chapter; title: Know What Different Audiences Expect; title: Analyze Your Document’s Audience and Purpose; title: Assess the Audience’s Technical Background; title: Case: Tailoring a Single Document for Multiple Audiences; title: Identify the Audiences’ Cultural Background; title: Anticipate Your Audience’s Preferences; title: Guidelines for Analyzing Audience and Purpose; title: Develop an Audience and Use Profile; title: Case:  Developing an Audience and Use Profile; title: Brainstorm as a Way of Getting Started; title: Consider This: Failure to Communicate with the Audience Can Have Drastic Consequences; title: Checklist: Analyzing Audience and Purpose; title: Projects; title: Chapter 3: PERSUADING YOUR READERS; title: Learning Objectives for This Chapter; title: Identify Your Specific Persuasive Goal; title: Try to Predict Audience Reaction; title: Expect Audience Resistance; title: Know How to Connect with the Audience; title: Case: Connecting with the Audience; title: Allow for Give-and-Take; title: Ask for a Specific Response; title: Never Ask for Too Much; title: Recognize All Constraints; title: Consider This: People Often React Emotionally to Persuasive Appeals; title: Support Your Claims Convincingly; title: Consider the Cultural Context; title: Guidelines for Persuasion; title: Shaping Your Argument; title: Checklist: Persuasion; title: Projects; title: Chapter 4: WEIGHING THE ETHICAL ISSUES; title: Learning Objectives for This Chapter; title: Recognize Unethical Communication in the Workplace; title: Know the Major Causes of Unethical Communication; title: Understand the Potential for Communication Abuse; title: Rely on Critical Thinking for Ethical Decisions; title: Anticipate Some Hard Choices; title: Case: A Hard Choice; title: Never Depend Only on Legal Guidelines; title: Learn To Recognize Plagiarism; title: Consider This- Ethical Standards Are Good for Business; title: Decide Where and How to Report Ethical Abuses; title: Checklist: Ethical Communication; title: Guidelines for Ethical Communication; title: Projects; title: Chapter 5: TEAMWORK AND GLOBAL CONSIDERATIONS; title: Learning Objectives for This Chapter; title: Teamwork and Project Management; title: Guidelines for Managing a Collaborative Project; title: Conducting Meetings; title: Guidelines for Running a Meeting; title: Sources of Conflict in Collaborative Groups; title: Managing Group Conflict; title: Overcoming Difference by Active Listening; title: Guidelines for Active Listening; title: Thinking Creatively; title: Reviewing and Editing Others’ Work; title: Guidelines for Peer Reviewing and Editing; title: Ethical abuses in Workplace Collaboration; title: Global Considerations when Working in Teams; title: Guidelines for Global Team Communication; title: Checklist: Teamwork and Global Considerations; title: Projects; title: Chapter 6: AN OVERVIEW OF THE TECHNICAL WRITING PROCESS; title: Learning Objectives for This Chapter; title: Critical Thinking in the Writing Process; title: A Sample Writing Situation; title: Make Proofreading Your Final Step; title: Guidelines for Proofreading; title: Checklist: Proofreading; title: Limitations of Writing with Digital Technology; title: Projects; title: PART II; title: THE RESEARCH PROCESS; title: Chapter 7: THINKING CRITICALLY ABOUT THE RESEARCH PROCESS; title: Learning Objectives for This Chapter; title: Asking the Right Questions; title: Case: Defining and Refining a Research Question; title: Exploring a Balance of Views; title: Achieving Adequate Depth in Your Search; title: Evaluating Your Finding; title: Interpreting Your Findings; title: Guidelines for Thinking Critically about Research; title: Primary versus Secondary Sources; title: Exploring Secondary Sources; title: Guidelines for Researching on the Internet; title: Exploring Primary Sources; title: Guidelines for Informational Interviews; title: Guidelines for Surveys; title: Consider This: Frequently Asked Questions about Copyright; title: Checklist: Doing Research; title: Projects; title: Chapter 8:  EVALUATING AND INTERPRETING INFORMATION; title: Learning Objectives for This Chapter; title: Evaluate the Sources; title: Evaluate the Evidence; title: Interpret Your Findings; title: Consider This: Standards of Proof Vary for Different Audiences and Cultural; title: Avoid Distorted or Unethical Reasoning; title: Acknowledge the Limits of Research; title: Guidelines for Evaluating and Interpreting Information; title: Checklist: Evaluating and Interpreting Information; title: Projects; title: Chapter 9: SUMMARIZING RESEARCH FINDINGS AND OTHER COMPLEX INFORMATION; title: Learning Objectives for This Chapter; title: Audience and Purpose; title: What Readers Expect from a Summary; title: Guidelines for Summarizing Information; title: A Situation Requiring a Summary; title: Special Types of Summaries; title: Ethical and Global Considerations in Summarizing Information; title: Checklist: Summaries; title: Projects; title: PART III; title: ORGANIZATION, STYLE, AND VISUAL DESIGN; title: Chapter 10: ORGANIZING FOR READERS; title: Learning Objectives for This Chapter; title: The Typical Shape of Workplace Documents; title: Outlining; title: Guidelines for Outlining; title: Storyboarding; title: Paragraphing; title: Sequencing; title: Chunking; title: Producing and Overview; title: Organizing for Global Audiences; title: Checklist for Organizing Information; title: Projects; title: Chapter 11: EDITING FOR A PROFESSIONAL STYLE AND TONE; title: Learning Objectives for This Chapter; title: Editing for Clarity; title: Editing for Conciseness; title: Editing for Fluency; title: Finding the Exact Words; title: Adjusting Your Tone; title: Guidelines for Deciding about Tone; title: Guidelines for Nonsexist Usage; title: Guidelines for Inoffensive Usage; title: Considering the Global Context; title: Legal and Ethical Implications of Word Choice; title: Using Automated Editing Tools Effectively; title: Checklist: Style; title: Projects; title: Chapter 12: DESIGNING VISUAL INFORMATION; title: Learning Objectives for This Chapter; title: Why Visuals Matter; title: When to Use Visuals; title: Types of Visuals to Consider; title: How to Choose the Right Visuals for Your Readers; title: Tables; title: Graphs; title: Guidelines for Creating Tables and Graphs; title: Charts; title: Guidelines for Creating Charts; title: Graphic Illustrations; title: Guidelines for Creating Graphic Illustrations; title: Photographs; title: Guidelines for Using Photographs; title: Videos; title: Guidelines for Using Videos; title: Software and Downloadable Images; title: Using Color; title: Guidelines for Incorporating Color; title: Ethical Considerations; title: Guidelines for Obtaining and Citing Visual Material; title: Cultural Considerations; title: Guidelines for Fitting Visuals with Text; title: Checklist: Effective Use of Visuals; title: Projects; title: Chapter 13: DESIGNING PAGES AND DOCUMENTS; title: Learning Objectives for This Chapter; title: Page Design in Workplace Documents; title: How Page Design Transforms a Document; title: Design Skills Needed in Today’s Workplace; title: Creating a Design that Works for Your Readers; title: Guidelines for Shaping the Page; title: Guidelines for Styling the Words and Letters; title: Guidelines for Adding Emphasis; title: Guidelines for Using Headings for Access and Orientation; title: Audience Considerations in Page Design; title: Designing Digital Documents; title: Checklist: Effective Page Design; title: Projects; title: PART IV; title: SPECIFIC DOCUMENTS AND APPLICATIONS; title: Chapter 14:DESIGNING AND TESTING DOCUMENTS FOR USABILITY; title: Learning Objectives for This Chapter; title: Why Usable Design Is Essential; title: Achieving a Usable Design; title: Creating a Document Plan; title: Writing, Testing, and Revising your Document; title: Guidelines for Preparing a Document and Testing it for Usability; title: Ethical and Global Issues Affecting Usability; title: Usability Issues in Online or Multimedia Documents; title: Checklist: for Usability; title: Projects; title: Chapter 15: MEMOS; title: Learning Objectives for This Chapter; title: Considering your Audience and Purpose; title: Memo Parts and Format; title: Memo Tone; title: Common Types of Memos; title: Guidelines for Memos; title: Checklist: Memos; title: Projects; title: Chapter 16: EMAIL AND INSTANT MESSAGING; title: Learning Objectives for This Chapter; title: Email; title: Email Style and Tone; title: Using Visuals with Email; title: Ethical Issues when Using Email; title: Global Considerations When Using Email; title: Guidelines for Writing and Using Email; title: Guidelines for Choosing Email versus Paper, Telephone, or Fax; title: Instant Messaging; title: Instant Messaging: Considering Audience and Purpose; title: Guidelines for Instant Messaging; title: Checklist for Email and Instant Messaging; title: Projects; title: Chapter 17: WORKPLACE LETTERS; title: Learning Objectives for This Chapter; title: Considering Your Audience and Purpose; title: Letter Parts, Format, and Design Elements; title: Letter Tone; title: Global and Ethical Considerations; title: Guidelines for Letters in General; title: Conveying Bad or Unwelcome News; title: Guidelines for Conveying Bad News; title: Common Types of Letters; title: Guidelines for Inquiry Letters; title: Guidelines for Claim Letters; title: Guidelines for Sales Letters; title: Guidelines for Adjustment Letters, Granting Adjustments and Refusing Adjustments; title: Checklist for Letters; title: Projects; title: Chapter 18: RÉSUMÉS AND OTHER JOB-SEARCH MATERIALS; title: Learning Objectives for This Chapter; title: Assessing Yours Skills and Aptitudes; title: Researching the Job Market; title: Résumés; title: Considering Your Audience and Purpose; title: Guidelines for Hard CopyRésumés; title: Guidelines for Scannable and Emailed Résumés; title: Guidelines for Online Résumés; title: Application Letters; title: Guidelines for Application Letters; title: Consider This: How applicants are Screened for Personal Qualities; title: Dossiers, Portfolios, and Webfolios; title: Guidelines Dossiers, Portfolos, and Webfolios; title: Interviews and Follow up Letters; title: Guidelines for Interviews and Follow-Up Letters; title: Checklist: Résumés; title: Checklist: Application Letters; title: Checklist: Supporting Material; title: Projects; title: Chapter 19: TECHNICAL DEFINITIONS; title: Learning Objectives for This Chapter; title: Audience and Purpose; title: Legal, Ethical, Societal, and Global Implications; title: Types of Definition; title: Methods for Expanding Definitions; title: Situations Requiring Definitions; title: Placement of Definitions in a Document; title: Guidelines for Definitions; title: Checklist for Definitions; title: Projects; title: Chapter 20: TECHNICAL DESCRIPTIONS, SPECIFICATIONS, AND MARKETING MATERIALS; title: Learning Objectives for This Chapter; title: Considering Audience and Purpose; title: Types of Technical Descriptions; title: Objectivity in Technical Descriptions; title: Elements of a Usable Description; title: An Outline and Model for Product Description; title: A Situation Requiring Product Description; title: An Outline for Process Description; title: A Situation Requiring Process Description; title: Case: A Process Description for a Nontechnical Audience; title: Guidelines for Descriptions; title: Specifications; title: Guidelines for Specifications; title: Technical Marketing Materials; title: Guidelines for Technical Marketing Materials; title: Checklist: Technical Descriptions; title: Checklist: Specifications; title: Checklist: Technical Marketing Materials; title: Projects; title: Chapter 21: INSTRUCTIONS AND PROCEDURES; title: Learning Objectives for This Chapter; title: Considering Audience and Purpose; title: Formats for Instructional Documents; title: Faulty Instructions and Legal Liability; title: Elements of Effective Instructions; title: Guidelines for Providing Appropriate Detail; title: Guidelines for Designing Instructions; title: An Outline for Instructions; title: A Situation Requiring Instructions; title: Digital and Online Instructions; title: Video Instructions; title: Evaluating the Usability of Instructional Documents; title: Procedures; title: Checklist: Effective Instructions and Procedures; title: Projects; title: Chapter 22 : INFORMAL REPORTS; title: Learning Objectives for This Chapter; title: Informational versus Analytical Reports; title: Progress Reports; title: Guidelines for Progress Reports; title: Periodic Activity Reports; title: Guidelines for Periodic Activity Reports; title: Trip Reports; title: Guidelines for Trip Reports; title: Meeting Minutes; title: Guidelines for Meeting Minutes; title: Feasibility Reports; title: Guidelines for Feasibility Reports; title: Recommendation Reports; title: Guidelines for Recommendation Reports; title: Justification Reports; title: Guidelines for Justification Reports; title: Peer Review Reports; title: Guidelines for Peer Review Reports; title: Checklist: Informal Reports; title: Projects; title: Chapter 23: FORMAL ANALYTICAL REPORTS; title: Learning Objectives for This Chapter; title: Considering Audience and Purpose; title: Typical Analytical Problems; title: Case: The Reasoning Process in Casual Analysis; title: Case: The Reasoning Process in Comparative Analysis; title: Case: The Reasoning Process in Feasibility Analysis; title: Elements of a an Effective Analysis; title: An Outline and Model for Analytical Reports; title: Front Matter and End Matter; title: A Situation Requiring an Analytical Report; title: Guidelines for Reasoning through an Analytical Problem; title: Checklist: Analytical Reports; title: Projects; title: Chapter 24: PROPOSALS; title: Learning Objectives for This Chapter; title: Considering Audience and Purpose; title: The Proposal Process; title: Case: Submitting a Competitive Proposal; title: Types of Proposals; title: Elements of a Persuasive Proposal; title: An Outline and Model for Proposals; title: Guidelines for Proposals; title: Situation Requiring a Formal Proposal; title: Checklist: Usability of Proposals; title: Projects; title: Chapter 25: ORAL PRESENTATIONS AND WEBINARS; title: Learning Objectives for This Chapter; title: Advantages and Drawbacks of Oral Presentations; title: Avoiding Presentation Pitfalls; title: Planning Your Presentation; title: Preparing Your Presentation; title: Planning and Creating Your Visuals; title: Guidelines for Readable Visuals; title: Guidelines for Understandable Visuals; title: Choosing the Right Technology; title: Using Presentation Software; title: Case: PowerPoint and the Space Shuttle ColumbiaDisaster; title: Guidelines for Using Presentation Software; title: Delivering Your Presentation; title: Guidelines for Using Visual Aids; title: Guidelines forManaging Listener Questions; title: Guidelines for Delivering Oral Presentations; title: Consider This: Cross Cultural Audiences May Have Specific Expectations; title: Webinars and Distance Presentations; title: Guidelines forWebinars and Distance Presentations; title: Checklist: Oral Presentations; title: Projects; title: Chapter 26: WEB PAGES; title: Learning Objectives for This Chapter; title: Considering Audience and Purpose; title: How Readers Read Web Pages; title: Writing for the Web; title: Guidelines for Writing Web Pages; title: Designing Web Pages; title: Guidelines for Designing Web Pages; title: Techniques and Technologies for Creating Web Sites; title: Global Issues and Web Pages; title: Guidelines for Addressing Global Audiences; title: Ethical and Legal Considerations for Web Sites; title: Checklist: Web Pages; title: Projects; title: Chapter 27: BLOGS, WIKIS, AND SOCIAL NETWORKS; title: Learning Objectives for This Chapter; title: Considering Audience and Purpose; title: Using Blogs for Technical Communication; title: Using Wikis for Technical Communication; title: Guidelines for Writing and Using Blogs and Wikis; title: Using Social Networks for Technical Communication; title: Guidelines for Writing and Using Social Networks; title: Ethical and Legal Considerations; title: Consider This: Blogs, Wikis, and Social Networks Change How We Work and Learn; title: Checklist: Blogs, Wikis, and Social Networks; title: Projects